Improvement in potato-diggers



ihdtd States @einem @titille Letters Patent No. 91,487, dated June 15,1869.

,Y IMPROVEMENT IN POTATO-DIG-GERS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of thesame.

l To all whom tt may concern:

Beit known that I, JAMES ROBERTS, of White Pigeon, in the county of St.Joseph, and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and` usefulImprovements in Potato-Diggers; and I do declare the following to be atrue and accurate descriptionI thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,and making part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is aperspective viewof my invent-ion from the rear and right side.

Figure 2 is a-side elevation, partially in section, of the left side,showing the oscillating grated drum and revolving grated scoops, withtheir attachments.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section of the same.

Figure 4 is a top view of the ratchets on the right end of thedrum-shaft.

Like letters indicatelike parts in each figure.

The object of my invention is to construct an apparatus to be drawn byhorses, that will dig potatoes in the hills, taking t'hem up anddepositing them in an oscillating grated drum, in and by which theymaybe thoroughly cleaned, and there retained until a sufficient quantity isaccumulated, .and then dumped through a proper door at the bottom of thedrum, the vines being caught upon a vibrating grated apron, from whichthey-fall to the ground at the rear of the apparatus.

To accomplish this purpose, I construct a proper frame, A, provided withthe ordinary fore-wheels B..

O are the hind-wheels, turniiig loosely upon a shaft, revolving inproper boxes under the rear part of the frame, and provided with thepawls D, engaging with and actuating the ratchets E, in the forwardmotion, of the apparatus.

F are the main journals, adjusted vertically between the standards G, bythe screws H, and provided with the pawls I, Iig. 1, and J, fig. 2.

K are cranks, secured to the shaft of the rear-wheels O, and, by meansof the slotted connecting-rods L, pins M, rocker-arms N, and ratchets O,communicate an intermittent rotary motion to the rim-wheels P, on themain shaft, and which are provided with the grated scoops Q.

S is a grated cylinder, oscillating easily on the shaft R, and providedwith a door, T, and internal grated apron U. Its left head being rigidlysecured to a pipe sleeved on the shaft R, and extending beyond the same,has secured to it the pallet X, by means of whichthe grated cylinderreceives an intermittent oscilla-ting motion, through the pin V on thercckeuarm N, fig. 2.

W is a vibrating grated apron, at the rear end of the machine, actuatedby the cam-lever Y, resting upon ,and raised by the grated scoops Q, intheir fon ward movement.

Z is an open excavator, firmly secured to the shaft 2, and is raised ordepressed, to enter the hills at the proper depth, by the lever 3, heldin position by notches in the quadrant 4.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The excavator Z, being adjusted to the desired depth, breaks the ground,and throws the potatoes and plant to the surface. They are picked up bythe grated scoops Q, and carried over the cylinder S, the potatoes andground dropping into the cylinder, while the vines are carried over bythe scoops Q, being stripped of their prongs by the vibrating grate W,which throws them on the ground in the rear of the machine.

The potatoes drop on the screen U, which, by its vibrations, tends toclean them from the dirt adhering to them, which latter passes oli'through the narrow meshes of cylinder S, leaving the potatoes in thesame.

When a quantity of potatoes have been gathered in cylinder S, the door Tis lowered by means of a chain, which hangs within reach of the driver,and the potatoes are allowed to drop out. j

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. The intermittent rotating rim-Wheels P, provided with the gratedscoops Q, main shaft R, ratchets O, rocker-arms N, and pin M, whenarranged and operating substantially as described, for the purposespeciied.

2. The oscillating grated drum S, provided with the internal grated drumU, door T, and pallet X, when arranged and operating substantially asdescribed, and for the purposes herein set forth.

3. The standards G, main journals F, adjustingscrews H, and pawls I andJ, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The vibrating grated apron W and cam-lever Y, when arranged andoperating substantially as described, andV for the purpose specified.

5. The slotted connecting-rods L, cranks K, ratchets E, and pawls D,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination and arrangement of the abovenamed parts with-theframe A, wheels G and B, excavator Z, shaft 2, lever 3, and quadrant 4,when operating and used substantially as herein described and for thepurpose described.

JAMES ROBERTS.

Witnesses:

CHARLES DAM-HELL, WM. H. HoLBoRN.

